News-Topic, Lenoir, N.C.
LENOIR, N.C. — The Lenoir Fire Department is partnering with State Farm insurance and the National Fire Protection Association to promote the upcoming Fire Prevention Week campaign.
This year’s campaign, Cooking Safety Starts with You. Pay attention to fire prevention, will be the week of Oct. 8 through Oct. 14 and will focus on educating families about simple but important steps that can be taken to remain safe.
“Cooking fires are the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries,” said Lorraine Carli, National Fire Protection Association outreach and advocacy vice president.
“This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign works to highlight when and where cooking fires happen most often, along with simple ways to minimize those risks.”
Firefighters, with the Lenoir Fire Department, and Adam Sterken State Farm Agency staff encourage residents to cook with caution.
Adam Sterken, State Farm agent, recently donated a Fire Prevention Week kit to the fire department, which includes home fire safety and prevention activities and information for children and adults.
“State Farm encourages homeowners to make fire prevention an important part of their overall home safety plan,” said Sterken. “Fire Prevention Week reminds that cooking with caution should be at the top of the list. This also is a good time to check your smoke alarms to ensure they are functioning.”
Firefighters with the Lenoir Fire Department offer several cooking tips.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove to prevent spills and burns.
- Always keep a lid nearby when cooking on the stove. If a small fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep kids and pets 3 feet from the stove and oven and where hot foods and liquids are being served.
- Watch what you heat. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
- Be alert. If you are tired or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or oven.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme, visit www.fpw.org.
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(c)2023 the News-Topic (Lenoir, N.C.)